Tour itinerary
Day 1
Join trip at Joensuu airport in Karelia. On arrival you’ll transfer to Koli National Park, a journey of approximately an hour and a half. Your Group Leader will then brief you on the trip ahead and you’ll learn all about what you’ve got to look forward to! This evening is free to relax and make use of the cottage’s sauna. Cottage – 3 nights (D)
Set in the hills above Koli NP, Karankavaara Cabin is a family-owned cottage in traditional Finnish summer log cabin style with outstanding views of the park from balconies on two levels. There’s a large living area that has sofa seating, TV, music system and a traditional soapstone fire. A long dining table leads into the fully-equipped kitchen, and there's also a washing machine in one of the downstairs rooms. The majority of the sleeping space is in an upper loft-style level, where a mixture of beds and mattresses are placed in curtained-off sections in one big communal space. These are usually set in twos, but can be rearranged according to the group or a couple of days in as people get to know each other and the kids make friends! It's a communal experience, but the curtains do afford privacy. There are two twin / double rooms downstairs as well, but obviously that’s only enough room to sleep a maximum of four people in each group. Bathroom facilities are communal with a shower, plus sink and toilet room and there's also a sauna! It’s a fantastic cottage, with stunning views, good facilities and making for a great atmosphere - holidaying like the Finnish people do!
Day 2
In the winter, Karelia is concealed under a blanket of snow that hides the shimmering lakes, lush forests and green hills of the region. Come May, the cover is blown and the hills are literally alive with flora and fauna!
You’ll discover this on foot today with a two to three kilometre walk in Koli National Park. Located on the shores of Lake Pielinen, this protected reserve is the subject of national pride. It’s credited with creating an identity for Finland through its typical scenery and was the inspiration behind Sibelius’s now legendary song, Finlandia, as well as for many other artists and poets. It’s also home to 40km of marked trails and is applying for World Heritage Status. The hills, the highest of which is Ukko Koli at 347m, are the remains of an ancient mountain chain formed nearly 2000 million years ago, surviving various ages to form the Koli hills you see today. Animals like beavers and lynx live in the park, as do many different types of birds.
After a briefing, your hike today will take you past stunning scenic viewpoints, with explanations of the area’s flora and fauna as you go. Your final destination is a cliff of 15-20m in height where you will have the opportunity to try your hand at abseiling with the aid of our well trained guides! The feeling of scaling the sheer rock face will set the exhilarating tone for the rest of your trip.
A picnic lunch will be eaten at a local beach, where it’s possible to swim. Following your walk, the route will take you back to the cottage where dinner will be prepared (you may be expected to help out a little) and the sauna heated. Should you wish to, there is also the opportunity to try to catch some fish in the pond near to your accommodation this evening (BLD)
Day 3
Today we explore Koli National Park by mountain bike (15-25km). Before setting off, your Group Leader will conduct a safety briefing, hand out helmets and make sure everyone’s raring to go!
The excursion takes you north along dirt tracks to Hattusaari Island, where you and the kids can learn all about a smallholder’s lifestyle and the environment in Koli NP. You cycle for approximately 10km towards the very top of the Koli Hills. As you approach the summit you leave your bikes for a final climb towards the summit of Mt. Koli. The view from this famous beauty spot is probably the most photographed in the entire country, and will almost certainly take away what remains of your breath! Lunch today will be accompanied by Icelandic horses at a local farm. These horses are ideally suited to their Scandinavian location, having been taken to Iceland by the Vikings many hundreds of years ago. After lunch, you will cycle back to the cottage via a different route through the mountains. (BLD)
Day 4
This morning after breakfast it’s time to pack your things and head somewhere new. You transfer to Heraniemi, your accommodation for the rest of your time in Finland. Close to Koli National Park and veiled by deep forest, Heraniemi is tucked away in the beautiful Finnish countryside. Accessed only by winding country tracks, you really are in the middle of nowhere; the perfect place to discover what relaxation and adventure are really like, Finnish style! After arriving here the pace of your adventure quickens as you take to quad bikes for a safari across the Finnish countryside. Following a full safety briefing, you drive for about 15km, passing an old bear’s nest in the forest before continuing on to Ryläysvaara hill, where you pause for a short hike to a traditional Lappish hut, and to take lunch by the campfire. From a nearby viewing post, views across the countryside are stunning. After lunch, you return to Heraniemi by quad bike and if you have remembered your swimming costume, can take a dip in the clear water at the beach of Kiviniemi. Farmhouse – 3 nights (BLD)
Your accommodation in Heraniemi is a large three storey house built of old logs in 2007. There are four bedrooms of which three are situated upstairs. Downstairs there is a workroom and fireplace room, as well as WC and shower. The entrance hall, kitchen and a large living room are situated on the middle floor well as is the last bedroom. The main room is typical of many buildings in Karelia, formerly used for carpentry and other handicrafts. It is also a place for eating and features a large wood-heated stove perfect for cooking traditional Karelian specialities. There is electricity and running water (hot and cold). 200m from the main building is a traditional sauna and there are a variety of animals on the farm – cats, dogs, sheep and horses. The courtyard offers beautiful views over the surrounding hills and natural landscape, including a small lake close to the main building. You may be asked to help with odd chores like carrying wood, laying the table, washing up, etc. It gets dark quite early so there are a selection of books and board games at the guesthouse to provide evening entertainment.
Day 5
Today has been left free so you can choose from a variety of activities to make the most of your time in this pristine wilderness.
There is a large variety of options available to you today, including fishing which you can do with a spinning rod on the shore of Lake Herajärvi, with the hope of perhaps catching a trout. A more genteel water option is canoeing or kayaking on the lake, investigating some of the countless islands en route. Other options include pony trekking, paintballing, or a visit to Joensuu for go-karting – all designed to cater to the teenagers looking for something more adventurous. At the end of the day the sauna will be stoked up and dinner prepared so everyone can compare notes on their day. (BD)
Day 6
The wilds of Karelia are perfect for white water boating, and you can do this on a river near to the Russian border. The whole water route is 22km in length, with the excursion covering 9km and four rapids which will be done in specially constructed white water boats.
You’ll be given a safety briefing and lessons on the art and techniques of white-water boating, then it’s time to transfer into inflatable boats and set off on your journey. The route today will be approximately 9km. Paddling through the rapids you will break your journey at a wilderness camp where you will have lunch, and the chance to dry out before completing the remainder of your journey.
Upon your return to Heraniemi you can relax, take the last opportunity for a sauna and reflect on your adventures! (BLD)
Day 7
After breakfast you transfer to the nearby town of Joensuu; you should have some time for a brief walk around the town and the chance to buy souvenirs or visit Vesikko Spa before transferring to Joensuu airport where the trip ends for Land Only clients.
(B)